CLEAN & EFFICIENT: The new diesel Cruze

The 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine is estimated to produce 148 horsepower and an estimated 258 pounds per foot
of torque, with a performance capability of 0-60 miles per hour in 8.6 seconds.

By JAMISON COCKLIN | jcocklin@vindy.com

LORDSTOWN

More horsepower, more torque and improved drivability are what General Motors feels it needs to go head-to-head with the German diesel vehicles that dominate the U.S. market.

When it hits U.S. and Canadian markets in either May or June, the new Lordstown-built 2014 Chevrolet Cruze clean turbo diesel will be the only domestic diesel model available in North America. GM hopes it can capture a segment of the domestic automotive market that saw clean-diesel sales increase by 25 percent last year.

“Chevrolet has had a lot of success globally with diesel engines,” said Cristi Landy, director of the brand’s small car and electrified vehicle marketing. “We looked at what the competition is doing here, and based on our technological capabilities, we wanted to bring this model to the U.S.”

Though the vehicle is still in testing, it will launch with a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine is estimated to produce 148 horsepower and an estimated 258 pounds per foot of torque, with a performance capability of 0-60 miles per hour in 8.6 seconds, all features that either match or beat the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, said Gary Altman, chief engineer for Chevrolet small cars.

The engine will be made in Germany and assembled at GM’s Lordstown facility.

David Green, president of United Auto Workers Local 1714, who represents workers at the fabrication plant, said his members already have assembled a number of test models.

The new diesel Cruze doesn’t mean more jobs at the plant, but Green said it signals the satisfaction the company has with the plant, where in August, GM invested $200 million for retooling associated with fabrication of the next-generation Cruze. Production of the current model is expected to last through 2014.

“Volkswagen has the [U.S. diesel] market cornered. It gives our members a challenge to work and get this right; it’s one more thing to be proud of,” he said. “I’m somewhat impressed, I had a chance to give it a test drive in bad weather, and you could really notice the torque and how it handled better.”

In an earlier exchange with The Vindicator, after GM first announced Monday that it would unveil the diesel Cruze at the Chicago Auto Show today, Glenn Johnson, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112, said workers at the factory had not yet been given a production schedule. Nonetheless, he said the new model is just another positive for the Valley’s economy.

GM officials said, however, that production will begin in April.

The diesel Cruze will retail for $25,695 and get an estimated 42 miles per gallon on the highway. The company says it’s the cleanest diesel passenger-car engine GM has produced. Typically, clean diesels generate 90 percent less nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions when compared with previous generation diesels. The last time GM released a diesel passenger car was in 1986 with the 1.8-liter Chevette.

Asked why GM chose the Chevy Cruze to introduce its new diesel engine, Landy said it is the brand’s No. 1 selling model across the globe, with nearly 2 million sold since its debut in 2010. GM has produced more than a half million small diesel-engine cars in other markets across the globe.

The new diesel Cruze will feature 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, an Aero Performance package and leather interior.

There are 14 clean-diesel autos and SUVs available in the U.S., and the number increases to 31 when light-duty trucks and vans are included.

Hey long dong? You have a lot of class with a blog handle like that. It is not about the valley plant. I feel that introducing a 2 door sport coupe instead of a diesel would expand the Cruz to a younger market and increase sales. Just saying. The Cruze is selling to the family sector while GM leaves the younger market to the Honda, Kia and hyundia. The have a great line of young stylish 2 door coupe.

busyman LD is one of those people who wants you to spend your money on they want you to. They are all for taking away your right to choose. I totaly agree with you, GM is missing a very important segment of the car buying public. But OBAMMY knows better then anyone else who GM should sell to. He doesn't want our young kids speeding around in an american(hotrod) car, that doesn't look good for him. I feel in a few years he will try to ban them too. because too many kids are being killed by these sportscars LMAO My sons just bought three Hyundia sports cars They love them They won't be buying any american cars in the future.

longrodvonhugestdong( no but they are the same companies and the sons of who did . But if it does not bother you go by their cars .( Quote ) the same chaps there were running around shooting US soldiers MMMMM is that all it is to you ? Some American you are .

How did this conversation end up refering to WW2 and Terroist? GM is introducing a vehicle that American buyers a choice to buy a vehicle made in the USA. I can not wait until you historians start on the Japensese cars. If you remember we had to drop 2 big bombs on them to end the other war.

>uselesseater. VW's reputation for quality has been tarnished for many years. Within the past 90 days Yahoo ran an article about "used cars to avoid," and the Volkswagen new Beetle, any year, was on the lemon alert list.

>Freeatlast. In case you haven't noticed, the generation of people who fought in WW II is pretty much gone, and even their children are in their 60's and 70's. The average person now working in a German factory was born after the point in time when President Kennedy said "Icht ben ein Berliner" and most of America applauded.

>Freeatlast: What about Fiat, the Italian company that produced military vehicles, aicraft and weapons for the Axis powers in WWII? The same company that our govt begged to take over Chrysler. Way off.>OhioAtty666: Germany must still be an enemy of the USA. Isn't that why we maintain so many military installations in Germany? Your point is, however, valid.

I am not concerned with WW2 phobias. Much of the laymans phobias are misguided and history mistaught or lessons remain unlearned.

I've owned Subarus, Nissans and other brands that too were our enemies in 1940.

The Subaru, it's at least assembled in Indiana, by American workers. Most vehicles we normal folks buy are made here, even if foreign brands. I suspect VW is doing the same with the Jetta TDI.

Do you folks also boycott the multitude of other German companies like Bayer?

Only big point of contention probably is union vs. non union manufacturing of vehicles.

I'll probably never own a GM anything. Tried it, sucked money out of my pocket, no resale, etc. Do I believe GM has changed their ways? Only slightly. Unproven still.

VW has been putting out diesels since 1980's, might have even been in the 1970's. Current TDI models have lineage back into mid 1990's. They know what they are doing. Last time we had GM doing diesels, well do you remember what a disaster they were?

VW Beetle, a franken car to say the least. I've owned a non turbo model and it was a piece of high maintenance junk sort of. Plenty of shop time when brand new (non TDI model). Totally backwards compared to original Beetles that were light, small engines, way more efficient. New Beetles are heavy as can be, over buffed 4 cyclinders that run hot towing way too much empty car.